How to Compose Your Own Piano Music

The piano is an incredibly versatile instrument. For hundreds of years, it has been the primary instrument for composition, giving the composer the ability to play their creations in full on the spot.

Writing your own piano music is a rewarding endeavour that allows you to express your creativity and emotions through an intricate and beautiful instrument. While the process might seem daunting at first, breaking it down into manageable steps can make it more approachable.

Here I will guide you through the essential stages of composing piano music, from finding inspiration and understanding musical theory to developing your composition and refining it.

Finding Inspiration

The first step in writing your own piano music is finding inspiration. Inspiration can come from various sources, such as personal experiences, nature, literature, or other music.

Spend time listening to different genres and styles to understand what resonates with you.

Pay attention to the emotions and images that certain pieces evoke and think about how you might convey similar feelings in your own music.

Improvisation is absolutely key to writing music. A very effective way to start writing something is just to turn on your voice-note app, and simply start improvising at the piano.

You can always delete it if you don’t like it, but the chances are you will quickly come across ideas that can form the basis of a composition!

Understanding Music Theory

A solid understanding of music theory is crucial for composing music.

Familiarise yourself with the basics, including scales, chords, and key signatures. Learn about different chord progressions and how they create movement within a piece.

Understanding these concepts will give you the tools to create harmonically rich and structurally sound music.

1. Scales and Key Signatures: Start by practising major and minor scales. Each scale has a distinct mood and character. Choose a key signature that fits the emotion you want to convey.

2. Chords and Harmony: Learn how to build chords from scales and how to use them in progressions. Experiment with major, minor, diminished, and augmented chords to find the harmonies that suit your composition, and then work on extensions and experiment with the different sounds they create.

3. Rhythm and Metre: Rhythm is the heartbeat of music. Decide on a time signature (e.g., 4/4, 3/4, 6/8) and experiment with different rhythmic patterns to add variety and interest to your piece. Beware not to let this become the central focus of the piece, as it should only act as a vehicle for the melody and harmony.

Developing Your Composition

Once you have a foundation in musical theory, start developing your composition. This stage involves creating melodies, harmonies, and structure for your piece.

1. Melody: Begin by crafting a simple melody. Melodies do not have to be intricate or varied. A strong melody is one that will be easily recognised. Hum or play around on the piano to find a motif—a short musical idea that you can develop further.

2. Harmony: Harmonise your melody by adding chords. Try different chord progressions to see how they change the mood of your melody. Make sure the harmony supports and enhances the melody rather than overpowering it.

3. Structure: Decide on the structure of your piece. Common structures include ABA (ternary form), AABA (32-bar form), and variations of these. Having a clear structure helps give your music direction and coherence.

Experimentation and Refinement

Composing is an iterative process. Experiment with different ideas, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Play your piece repeatedly and make adjustments as needed.

1. Variations: Create variations of your motifs and themes to add diversity. You can vary the rhythm, harmony, or dynamics to keep the listener engaged. Melodic development is a powerful tool in composition that can handle much of the workload.

2. Dynamics and Expression: Dynamics and articulation bring your music to life. Your melody should naturally generate its own dynamic qualities that flow with the music, but it is still up to you to establish these and sometimes alter them. Experiment with staccato (short and detached) and legato (smooth and connected) playing to convey different characters. Always remember that articulation and dynamics are part of the melody just as much as the notes themselves.

3. Feedback: Play your piece for others and get feedback. Sometimes, fresh ears can offer valuable insights that you might have overlooked. Always record everything you write, even just on your phone, so that you can study it properly.

Finalising Your Composition

Once you are satisfied with your composition, it’s time to finalise it. Write it down using musical notation software or by hand if you are comfortable with that. Ensure that all notes, rhythms, dynamics, and articulations are clearly marked.

If you don’t need anyone else to play it, you don’t need to write it down, but you should always document it somewhere on audio or video so as not to lose it!

1. Notation: Proper notation is crucial for conveying your musical ideas accurately. If you are not proficient in writing music, consider using software like MuseScore or Sibelius, which can help with notation and playback.

2. Performance: Practise your piece until you can play it confidently. Recording yourself can be helpful for spotting areas that need improvement. If you plan to share your music, consider making a high-quality recording.

3. Reflection: Reflect on the process and the final piece. What worked well? What challenges did you encounter? Use this reflection to improve your future compositions.

Conclusion

Writing your own piano music is a journey that combines technical knowledge with personal expression. By finding inspiration, understanding musical theory, developing your composition, experimenting, and refining your work, you can create music that is uniquely yours.

Remember that composing is an evolving skill, and the more you practise, the more proficient you will become. Embrace the process, and enjoy the fulfilment that comes from bringing your musical ideas to life.